A long-haired man stepped inside, wooden sandals clacking softly.
The Grave of Eternal Sins was roughly the size of an ordinary training ground, allowing everything inside to be seen at a glance.
Iron railings surrounded the perimeter, with lush green weeds growing all around.
At the very center stood three cast statues, kneeling on the ground and facing Konoha.
Washed by the rain, the three statues looked as though they were weeping.
They were Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.
Beneath the statues were inscriptions detailing the deeds of the three during their lifetimes.
"Sensei…"
Jiraiya took two steps forward and carefully read the inscriptions. A heavy expression surfaced on his face.
Long ago, he had already grown deeply disappointed in Hiruzen.
The once-ambitious and high-spirited man had become increasingly unfamiliar after taking power.
Yet no matter how he imagined it, he never expected his teacher to use forty thousand living people as sacrifices to activate the Impure World Reincarnation Technique…
And now it had come to this—condemned to be reviled by countless future generations.
"Sigh… Sensei, you were never supposed to become like this."
Jiraiya muttered softly when another voice spoke from behind him. "People change, Jiraiya."
He turned around to see Orochimaru and Tsunade walking toward him at an unhurried pace.
They stopped at his sides, and Tsunade bent down, placing a bouquet of flowers before Hiruzen's statue.
No matter how much resentment lay between them, he had taught her for many years.
Paying respects one last time was, at the very least, a proper conclusion to their bond as teacher and student.
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya and spoke quietly. "I heard you're leaving Konoha."
"To search for that so-called Child of Prophecy?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "I don't want any part in that mess anymore. Right now, all I want is to travel the shinobi world for material and properly finish my novels."
Hearing that, Orochimaru smiled faintly, a trace of emotion in his voice. "Back when I defected from Konoha, you said you'd drag me back even if it cost you your life."
"But now that I've returned, you're the one leaving."
At last, a bitter smile appeared on Jiraiya's face. He sighed. "Life's too unpredictable. Maybe we were never meant to walk the same path."
Listening to the two of them, Tsunade couldn't help but shiver. "The way you two grown men talk… why does it sound so weird?"
At her words, Jiraiya instinctively looked at her. "Tsunade—"
"Not a chance. Absolutely not."
The moment she saw his expression, Tsunade knew what he wanted to say and immediately waved him off.
Jiraiya's mouth twitched as he shouted, "Who'd ask out a violent woman like you anyway?! Punching and kicking people at the drop of a hat—any man who married you would lose half his lifespan!"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and rolled up her sleeves. "Say that again?"
Jiraiya instantly calmed down, taking two steps back. "I just wanted to have one last drink with the two of you before I leave."
"No time."
With that, Tsunade turned around and left.
Everyone knew how Jiraiya felt about her. How could she possibly keep getting tangled up with him?
"What a cold, violent woman…"
Watching her retreating figure, Jiraiya couldn't help complaining.
Orochimaru chuckled, his hoarse voice sounding amused. "Except for that person, Tsunade really does treat everyone else like this."
"That person? Who?"
Seeing Jiraiya's confused look, Orochimaru replied slowly, "Uchiha Yuzuru."
"In front of Yuzuru, Tsunade is as gentle as a little lamb."
"If you stayed in Konoha, you might even get to see it."
Jiraiya shuddered. "Then I definitely have to leave Konoha."
Then, unwillingly, he added, "Honestly… Yuzuru already has so many wives, and she still throws herself at him."
"Meanwhile, a man like me doesn't get cherished at all."
Hearing his complaints, Orochimaru couldn't help laughing.
He patted Jiraiya on the shoulder. "Jiraiya, this isn't Tsunade's problem. It's yours."
As Orochimaru walked toward the exit, Jiraiya called out, "You're not even staying to have a drink with me?"
Orochimaru didn't answer, merely raising an arm and waving it lightly.
The expression on Jiraiya's face gradually faded. After a long while, he let out a sigh and disappeared alone into the curtain of rain.
————
————
Time flew by, and another month passed in the blink of an eye.
Banners and colorful ribbons hung all across Konoha's streets. Everyone's face was filled with excitement as they headed toward the center of the village.
Today was the Hokage Inauguration Ceremony, and everyone was allowed a full day off work.
Even so, such a grand event was rare, and the villagers of Konoha gathered early in the morning at the plaza in front of the Hokage Tower.
Among them, the Uchiha clan members were the most excited.
Several days in advance, they had already learned the news—this time, the one inheriting the position of Hokage was from their Uchiha clan: Fugaku.
Although it wasn't Yuzuru, which was somewhat disappointing, it was already more than enough.
Ever since Konoha was founded, the Uchiha clan had longed for a Hokage from their own bloodline.
Yet after decades had passed, that wish was never fulfilled. They were even once forced to leave Konoha entirely.
Now, that dream had finally come true. How could they not be thrilled?
Some clan members were so overwhelmed by joy that their Sharingan evolved on the spot.
Inside the Hokage Tower, the atmosphere was just as festive, smiles plastered on everyone's faces.
Fugaku looked at Yuzuru, unease evident in his expression. "Yuzuru… is it really right for me to become Hokage?"
"I feel like the Hokage everyone wants… should be you."
Yuzuru smiled lightly and said calmly, "I already control both the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire. If I were to become Hokage, what would the people of the Land of Lightning think?"
"Just focus on doing a good job. Don't disappoint me."
Fugaku immediately responded respectfully, "Yes!"
"Alright, it's about time. Let's go."
Under the eager gazes of the crowd, Yuzuru slowly walked up to the rooftop of the Hokage Tower.
By his side stood Fugaku, Shisui, Obito…
Yuzuru said nothing more. He simply handed the Hokage hat and the Hokage ceremonial robe—symbols of Hokage authority—into Fugaku's hands.
"From today onward, Uchiha Fugaku officially assumes the position of Hokage!"
Yuzuru's voice echoed through the air, met by waves of thunderous cheers.
Colorful flags fluttered, and fireworks burst into bloom.
Although Fugaku was the protagonist of the day, the crowd still shouted Yuzuru's name at the top of their lungs.
Everyone knew it clearly—
The true ruler of this land was Uchiha Yuzuru!